Fracture apparatus



(No Model.) T. W. SLOAN.

FRAGTURE APPARATUS.

No. 590,531. Patented Sept. 21,1897.

i 7L 7; c 3 0 g 6 a if B A- [K ////l c J k 71 f c c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS XV. SLOAN, OF SEATTLE, \VASHINGTON.

FRACTU RE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 590,531, dated September 21, 1897. Application filed November 1, 1895. Serial No. 567,782. (No model.)

pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and to letters marked thereon.

This invention relates to an improved surgical apparatus especially designed for curing spinal fractures and deformities and for treating fractures and injuries of the lower extremities.

Heretofore in treating injuries of this character where it became necessary to apply a molded dressing to the limbs or body it had been customary to suspend the patient in an upright or perpendicular position by straps placed under the arms and attached to the chin and occiput. Such a position was extremely uncomfortable and painful and rendered it impossible to maintain the patient in the same for a sufficient length of time to permit of the cast becoming properly set.

These objectionable features are avoided by my invention, which has for its object to minimize the pain to the patient, to induce muscular relaxation, and thus promote the success of the operation, to secure perfect adaptation of the cast to the patients person, to maintain the patient quiet and comfortable during the time necessary for the cast to harden, and provide against total syncope in consequence of the severity of the operation.

To these ends my invention consists in the features and in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and definitely pointed out in the claims following the description, reference being had to the drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved apparatus, illustrating the same with a patient in position therein; and Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upper part of the device with the patient removed.

Referring to the drawings, the letters a a indicate two uprights, which are fitted in bases 1) b, to which they are connected by braces c c. The upper ends of the uprights are united by a rail consisting of two bars e and f, fitt'ed at their opposite ends in the uprights and at their adjacent ends are matched, as at g, and detachably secured together by bands h h, slipped over said matched ends. The bars 6 and f are connected to the uprights a ct by diagonal braces 1' a. The lower ends of the uprights a a are connected or united by a rail similar in all respects to the rail just described. To the uprights a a are secured the opposite ends of a hammock A, preferably constructed of canton-flannel or other similar soft, yielding, and flexible material, and from the upper rail is suspended by adjustable straps O O a horizontal bar B, over which are adapted to be passed bands or bandages K, which are also passed beneath the hammock and operate to support the patients body. By means of the straps C G the hammock may be raised and lowered at will to suit the comfort of the patient.

In practice after the plastic dressing has been applied to the patient the latter is placed in the hammock and the hammock is fastened to the uprights and the bands K and straps O C adjusted to the proper position. The patient may thus lie extended in a comfortable manner and in the proper position for the dressing to set. 7

When not in use, the apparatus may be folded up into a compact bundle for transportation by separating the two parts e. and from the uprights and from each other and by removing the bases 11 b and braces t' t' c o from the uprights.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination with an upright frame having two uprights and a horizontal rail, of a hammock swung between said uprights, a horizontal bar suspended from said rail, and

10 by straps G, C, a hammock A swung between said uprights, and bands K depending from the said bar and passing around the hammock, substantially as described.

' In testimony whereof I affix my'signature in the presence of two witnesses;

TIIOS. \V. SLOAN.

\Vitn ess'es:

LEO. I. 817001;, JOHN W; RUMsnxt 

